News Releases

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, June 29, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced plans for a major overhaul of Jamaica’s tourism governance framework through the creation of a new Tourism Authority and supporting legislation designed to modernise oversight of the sector and support the implementation of the new Tourism 3.0 growth agenda. The announcement was made during the Minister’s 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation in Gordon House recently under the theme “Trust and Confidence,” where he outlined institutional reforms aimed at creating a governance system that is clearer, faster and stronger. The reform package will require legislation to repeal and replace the Tourist Board Act, 1955 and the River Rafting Authority Act, 1970, facilitate the establishment of a new Tourism Authority Act, and create a dedicated Tourism Authority to serve as Jamaica’s principal tourism regulator.

Bartlett Declares New Era Built on Trust, Inclusion and Local Prosperity KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 25, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has unveiled a new growth agenda dubbed: Tourism 3.0, describing it as Jamaica’s new development architecture designed to transform tourism from a successful industry into a more inclusive and resilient national economic engine rooted in trust, confidence and shared prosperity. Making his 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation in Gordon House earlier this week, under the theme “Trust and Confidence,” Minister Bartlett positioned Tourism 3.0 as the framework that will guide the next phase of Jamaica’s tourism evolution, one where growth is measured not only by visitor arrivals but by stronger communities, higher local retention, greater resilience and broader economic participation. “Tourism 3.0 is not a slogan. It is a new development architecture for Jamaica,” Bartlett declared.

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, Jamaica; Thursday, June 18, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has called on members of the Jamaican Diaspora to take decisive steps in support of efforts by the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen the resilience of the tourism sector as it pursues a target of attracting 10 million visitors, earn US10 billion, over the next 10 years. Minister Bartlett has challenged the influential Jamaican Diaspora to expand their role beyond sending remittances, to becoming stakeholders and investors in the industry by bringing resource and capital support to the country and being part of marketing initiatives to secure more tourists. Minister Bartlett was the main presenter on a panel at the 11th biennial conference of the Jamaica Diaspora, being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre this week, exploring the topic “Secure Jamaica’s Future: Building National Climate Tourism and Disaster Resilience.”

MANHATTAN; New York, June 2026; Friday June 6, 2026 — Jamaica has once again solidified its position as one of the Caribbean's leading tourism destinations, earning two prestigious awards during the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) Caribbean Week celebrations in New York City on Tuesday, June 2. The destination was recognized for excellence in Caribbean tourism, receiving the Caribbean Media Award for Best Social Media Campaign. This category honours top-performing digital promotions, creator collaborations, and visual strategies that effectively engage global audiences and showcase the Caribbean. Jamaica was singled out for Love Island influencers that covered Reggae Marathon in 2025 and received over 6 million in views. The destination was also acknowledged for freelance travel and lifestyle journalist Dana Givens’ National Geographic story on Luxury experiences on the island.

Minister Bartlett Highlights Resilience, Workforce Development and Sustainable Growth as Cornerstones of Tourism's Next Chapter MANHATTAN, New York; Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — Jamaica's tourism sector is entering a new era of transformation under the banner of Tourism 3.0, a bold strategy aimed at repositioning the destination for sustained growth, enhanced competitiveness and greater benefits for Jamaican workers and communities. Speaking at the opening of CTO Caribbean Week in New York yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, underscored the remarkable resilience of Jamaica's tourism sector, noting that despite a series of global disruptions, the industry has continued to demonstrate its strength and adaptability. “In every instance, the real resilience that is the essence of tourism manifested itself in Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett. “These disruptions have bent us a little bit, but they have not broken the spirit of the Jamaican people.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, June 1, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has departed the island for a series of high-level tourism engagements this month in New York and Spain aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s global tourism partnerships, advancing regional collaboration and reinforcing the country’s leadership in tourism resilience and sustainability. The tourism minister is participating in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York from June 1-5, where he will join regional tourism leaders, travel trade partners, media representatives and industry stakeholders in a packed programme of leadership fora, business meetings, cultural showcases and networking events. During the week, Minister Bartlett will participate in meetings of the CTO Council of Ministers and engage with key tourism stakeholders while supporting efforts by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and local tourism partners to promote Jamaica’s diverse tourism offerings in one of the island’s most important source markets.